Jason Campbell: Updated Fantasy Outlook and Analysis for Bears QB

Jason Campbell gets the start at quarterback tonight for the Chicago Bears in place of the injured Jay Cutler in a game that's appropriately being dubbed the Backup Bowl.

Colin Kaepernick will start in place of Alex Smith for the San Francisco 49ers.

Think the Bears and 49ers defenses are excited?

With Campbell the more experienced starter in this one, let's update his fantasy stock and provide his fantasy outlook.

Outlook

The outlook for Campbell isn't good, mainly based on the mystery that surrounds Cutler's future availability.

Making his first start of the season on the road against the 49ers in prime time probably couldn't get any worse, and right now, we don't know if he'll see the field beyond Week 11.

Cutler is dealing with a concussion, and we know they can never be taken lightly. But he very well may return in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings at home.

Now, if Cutler's head injury lingers, Campbell could see considerable playing time as the season progresses, and with time on the field, he has a good chance to establish a connection with star wideout Brandon Marshall.

If he's lucky enough to suit up for Week 12's matchup with Minnesota, he'll face a team that's allowed a 93.1 QB rating this season, but they've surrendered fewer than 230 passing yards per game.

After that, there's no telling how healthy Cutler will be, so it's smarter to err on the side of caution, especially with many fantasy regular seasons winding down.

Analysis

Campbell is a capable backup quarterback.

Remember, a year ago, he was the head man in Oakland and had the Raiders off to a 4-2 start before suffering a broken collarbone that prematurely ended his season.

At the time, he was completing 60 percent of his passes for a shade over 220 yards per game with six touchdown passes and four interceptions before going down in the team's sixth game.

He had two games in which he threw for more than 300 yards.

Replacing Cutler a week ago in a rain-soaked game against one of the league's best defenses, he completed 11 of 19 passes for 94 yards.

That came without any legitimate practice time with the first team.

He got that preparation this week, with Chicago expecting Cutler to miss at least one game.

Campbell could get into a groove with Marshall tonight and may even throw a touchdown pass, but he just as easily could find himself totally lost inside a collapsing pocket if San Fran does everything in their power to take away the talented wideout.

If you're at the height of desperation, Campbell is starting, so he's a decent add by default, but we can't expect much until we see the backup make plays first.